Nashville Zoo, Brad Paisley express gratitude as petition against data center tops 328,000
A proposed DC BLOX data center near the Nashville Zoo faces significant public opposition, with a petition gaining over 328,000 signatures. The Nashville Zoo has filed a zoning appeal to overturn previously approved permits for the project. Additionally, a Metro Councilmember has introduced legislation to restrict and regulate large data centers in the city.
A proposed data center development by DC BLOX, planned for a site near the Nashville Zoo, is encountering strong public opposition. A petition against the project has rapidly accumulated over 328,000 signatures.
Nashville Zoo President and CEO Rick Schwartz stated the zoo is actively opposing the proposal and has escalated its efforts. The zoo's land use attorney, Bill Herbert, a former Metro Codes Director, has filed a zoning appeal with the city. The objective of this legal action is to reverse permits previously approved for DC BLOX's project, which would span approximately 69,220 square feet.
Separately, Metro Councilmember Rollin Horton has introduced legislation aimed at restricting and regulating large data centers within Nashville. The bill successfully passed its first reading last week, indicating a broader governmental response to data center development. DC BLOX, which operates data centers across the Southeast, has not publicly disclosed details regarding the facility's energy and water demands, nor its overall investment in the project.